Storied soccer coach Pia Sundhage hired to lead Swiss

She took the US, Sweden and Brazil to various editions of the Women's World Cup. Her US team lost the 2011 final to Japan.

Sundhage was voted the best women's coach in the 2012 FIFA awards after the US retained their Olympic title in London.

She coached Sweden when they hosted Euro 2013 and lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions Germany.

"It's a privilege to be able to coach a team under such pressure. I love that," Sundhage said in a statement published by the Swiss soccer federation, which gave her a contract through next year.

The 63-year-old Swede takes over a Swiss team which went to the round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, losing 5-1 to title-winners Spain. Sundhage's Brazil did not advance from a group led by France and Jamaica.

"The appointment of Pia Sundhage is a new milestone for Swiss women's soccer," federation president Dominique Blanc said.

Euro 2025 will be played in eight Swiss cities from July 2-27 next year. England won the previous edition as the home team in 2022.